Dispensing opening for a container



July 16, 1957 E. G. FREDERICH ET AL 2,799,440

DISPENSING OPENING FOR A CONTAINER Filed July '21, 1954 'InILf DISPENSING OPENING FOR A CONTAINER Emil G. Frederich and Russell S. Updyke, Milwaukee, Wis., and James A. Talboys, Fort Lee, N. J., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Crown Zellerbach Corporation, San Francisco, Calif., a corporation of Nevada Application July 21, 1954, Serial No. 444,742

Claims. (Cl. 22917) This invention appertains, in general, to a dispensing opening for a container and more particularly to a bottom dispensing means for a heavy-duty container constructed of solid fibreboard, corrugated fibreboard or any other suitable bendable material.

Improvements in fibreboard containers have made possible the use of this material for handling, storing and transporting relatively large quantities of bulk materials, such as granular chemicals, grains and the like. The unusual strength and resiliency of the materials employed permit containers carrying quantities from 500 to 2,000 pounds and more to be used. Furthermore, it is possible with certain arrangements of the container body and the bottom closure cap to provide a heavy-duty container which does not permit leakage of the granular or other bulk contents. While it is a comparatively easy matter to load the relatively large containers through the top opening, the unloading of the containers often presents considerable problems. It is expensive and time consuming to unload the containers through the top opening. Due to the great size and weight involved, it is also impractical to up-end the container to discharge the contents. Cutting openings in the side walls of the receptacle is also undesirable since it is difl'icult to control the rate of discharge of the bulk materials, and it is also difiicult, if not impossible, to reclose the opening should intermittent unloading be required. It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a relatively large container having a dispensing opening having scored bottom portions adapted to be slit to provide a plurality of oppositely opening, dispensing flaps.

A further object of this invention is to provide, in a sift-proof container'for bulk materials, a dispensing opening which may be reclosed.

Another object is to provide a dispensing opening for a container of the type described which provides an unobstructed interior surface at all times.

A still further object is to provide a dispensing opening which may be manipulated without special tools or equipment.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent upon a full and complete understanding of the construction and operation of the device.

The invention also consists in the parts, arrangements and combination of parts hereinafter described and claimed; The accompanying symbols form a part of this specification and numerals and symbols therein appearing refer to like parts wherever they occur:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a blank for an interior, tubular liner for a container embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a partially assembled container employing the invention;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a dispensing opening employing an embodiment of this invention shown with the outer flap swung away from the container;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary,'perspective view of the embodiment of the dispensing opening shown with the outer Patent O 2,799,440 Patented July 16, 1957 flap swung unwardly and outwardly and the intermediate flap swung outwardly;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a dispensing opening shown with the inner, intermediate and outer dispensing flaps swung into the open position; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view taken through section 66 of Fig. 5.

The container A illustrated employs a tubular, inner sleeve member 10, relatively short tray member 11 and an outer tubular sleeve member 12. As shown in Fig. 1, the inner sleeve 10 comprises side walls 13 connected together along vertical fold lines 14. The end extremities of the inner sleeve member blank are defined by end edges 15. Alternating side wall panels 13 are provided with lower marginal flap scores 16 which define inner dispensing flaps 17. In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated, fiap slots 18 are provided adjacent the ends of the flaps 17 and in substantial alignment with vertical fold lines 14.

The outer sleeve 12 is provided with side walls 19 connected together along outer vertical fold lines 20. In a manner similar to the blank of the inner sleeve member 10, the end extremities of the blank defining the outer sleeve 12 are defined by outer end edges (not illustrated). Alternating outer side walls 19 are provided with outer flap scores 21 which extend across the entire width of the side wall, preferably in parallel relation with the lower edge thereof. The outer flap scores 21 partially define outer flaps 22 which will be described in detail later in the specification. Unlike the inner dispensing flap 17, the outer flap 22, in the particular embodiment described, is not provided with end slots 18.

An upstanding tray member 11, dimensioned to fit between the inner and outer sleeves 10 and 12 respectively, is provided. The tray 11 comprises a bottom panel 23 and foldably connected upstanding side panels 24. Each side panel 24 is provided, in the embodiment illustrated,

with a foldably connected, triangularly shaped, end flap 25. Each end flap 25 is hingedly connected to its adjacent side panel along a vertical tray score 26. Similarly, the foldable connection between the side panel 24 and the bottom panel 23 and is defined by a bottom tray score 27.

Any desired means of assembling the material may be used. However, a desired means or method is to fold the side walls 13 of the inner sleeve 10 abouttheir vertical fold lines 14 so that the end edges 15 are in substantially abutting relation. In this position, a length of glued tape 28, or other suitable means, is secured across the abutting edges and the inner sleeve is then erected into a rectangular, tubular position. The tray member may then be erected by folding side panels 24 upwardly about their bottom tray scores 27 into right-angular relation with the bottom panel 23. The end flaps 25 are then folded inwardly into fiatwise contacting engagement with the outer face of each adjacent side panel 24. In this position, the side panels and their contacting end flaps 24 are secured together by stitches 29 or any other suitable means. The previously erected inner sleeve 10 may now be positioned into the erected tray member 11. In order to eifect a more secure, 'siftproof seal, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated, it is preferred that the lower portions of the side walls 13 firmly engage the inner face of the side panels 24 of the tray member 11. The outer sleeve 12 is erected in a similar manner, that is by folding the outer side walls 19 about the outer vertical fold lines 20 so that their free end edges (not shown) are in abutting relation. Similarly, a tape 28, or any other desired fastening means, is placed over the abutting end edges and the outer side walls 19 are in condition to be erected into tubular relation. The erected outer sleeve 12 is then telescoped over the inner sleeve 1Q as illustrated in Fig. 2. It will be noted that, in the embodiment illustrated, the inner flap score 16 and the outer flap scores 21 are preferably in substantial horizontal alignment with each other. In the embodiment described, it is preferred that the flap scores 16 and 21 are. positioned adjacent to each other. If desired, however, the inner flap score 16 may be positioned substantially below the level of the outer flap score 21 to facilitate opening the dispensing flaps. The dimensions of the outer side walls 19 are such that the outer sleeve 12 will firmly engage the outer faces of upstanding side panels 24 of the bottom tray 11. The container is now ready for loading with bulk or granular contents. If desired, any suitable type of top closing means (not shown) may be employed.

The successive steps of forming the dispensing opening of the invention are illustrated in Figs. 3 to 6. The lower portions of the vertical fold lines 20 are manually slit from the outer flap scores 21 downwardly to the lower edge of the outer sleeve. A knife 32, or other suitable instrument, may be employed. The outer flap 22 thus formed is then folded upwardly about the adjacent flap score 21, as illustrated in Fig. 3. With the outer flap 22 folded upwardly, the adjacent vertical tray scores 26 are slit, thereby transforming the side panel 24 into an intermediate fiap 30 which may be swung downwardly about the adjacent bottom tray score 27 into horizontal relation as illustrated in Fig. 4. In the particular embodiment illustrated, it will be noted that the adjacent, triangula-rly shaped end flap 25 will also be severed from its adjacent end wall and positioned horizontally downwardly together with the intermediate flap 30. The inner dispensing flap 17 may then be raised upwardly and outwardly, as shown in Fig. 5, and the contents will be free to be discharged through an opening 31 thus formed. If desired, the size of the opening 31 may be varied by positioning the inner dispensing flap downwardly or partially closing same. Further, if it is desired to ternporarily reclose the container, the inner dispensing flap may be positioned downwardly to seal the opening, and the intermediate fiap 30 may be swung upwardly in fiatwise relation against the inner flap and the outer flap 22 may be swung downwardly in fiatwise relation against the intermediate flap 30. Since adjacent flaps, forming the dispensing opening, open in opposite directions, it is possible to temporarily reclose the dispensing opening even without requiring the use of sealing tape or other extraneous appliances.

The invention is subject to other variations which may be desirable for certain applications of the device. instance, it may be desired to omit the slots 18 in the inner sleeve and to rely upon the slitting of the inner sleeve corners of the container in a manner similar to the forming of the outer flap 22. Also, the invention may be employed on other polygonal containers, such as hexagonal, octagonal and the like.

The embodiments and modifications described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. The invention may be susceptible of embodiment in other modified forms. All modifications which are similar or equivalent hereto come equally within the scope of the claims next appearing.

What we claim is:

l. A dispensing container having an upstanding body section with side walls connected together along fold lines and a bottom closure tray having a bottom panel with upstanding side panels connected thereto along bottom fold lines and positioned in adjacent overlapping relation to the body side walls, a dispensing opening defined by oppositely opening flaps struck from a body side wall and an adjacent tray side panel having end. edges free and in a common plane, the side wall flap being positioned upwardly and outwardly about a horizontal score line and the adjacent tray side panel flap being positioned outwardly and downwardly about its said adjacent bottom fold For line to a position at least substantially in alignment with the bottom panel in cooperating relation with each other to form a bottom dispensing opening.

2. A dispensing container having a pair of telescoping, upstanding, inner and outer body sections with side walls connected together along vertical fold lines, and a bottom closure tray having a bottom panel with upstanding side panels connected thereto along bottom fold lines and positioned intermediate the body side walls, a dispensing opening defined by flaps struck from a pair of adjacently disposed body side walls and an adjacent, interposed tray side panel, each side wall flap being positioned upwardly and outwardly about a horizontal score line in its adjacent body side wall and the said interposed tray side panel flap being positioned outwardly and downwardly about its adjacent bottom fold lines.

3. A dispensing container having a pair of telescoping, upstanding, inner and outer body tubular sleeves with side walls connected together along vertical corner fold lines and a bottom closure tray having a flat bottom panel with rigidly upstanding side panels connected thereto along bottom fold lines and positioned intermediate the lower margins of the body side walls, a dispensing opening defined by flaps struck from a pair of adjacently disposed body side walls and an adjacent, interposed, tray side panel, each side wall flap being disposed upwardly and outwardly about a horizontal score line in its adjacent body side wall and the adjacent tray side panel flap being disposed outwardly and downwardly about its adjacent bottom fold line.

4. An upright container of the type described comprising a tubular inner sleeve positioned within a tubular outer sleeve and a relatively shallow bottom tray, each sleeve having upstanding side walls connected together along corner fold lines, the bottom tray having a bottom panel with upstanding side panels connected thereto along bottom fold lines, each tray side panel being disposed upwardly between the lower margins of an adjacent pair of inner and outer sleeve side walls, one adjacent pair of inner and outer sleeve side walls being provided with substantially registering horizontal score lines spaced from the lower margins thereof for defining foldable connections for flaps struck from said one pair of adjacent inner and outer side walls, when the container is opened the said flaps struck from the inner and outer sleeves being adapted to be swung outwardly and upwardly and a portion of the adjacent tray side panel being adapted to be severed from its adjacent parts and folded outwardly and downwardly about its bottom fold lines.

5. An upright container of the type described comprising a tubular inner sleeve telescoped within a tubular outer sleeve and a relatively shallow bottom tray, each sleeve having upstanding side walls connected together along corner fold lines, the bottom tray having a bottom panel with upstanding, connected together side panels attached thereto along bottom fold lines, each tray side panel being disposed rigidly upwardly between the lower margin of one adjacent pair of inner and outer sleeve side walls, said one adjacent pair of inner and outer sleeve side walls being provided with substantially registering horizontal score lines spaced from the lower margins thereof providing foldable connections for registering flaps defined by vertical cuts extending downwardly from the horizontal score lines and struck from said one adjacent pair of inner and outer side walls, when the container is opened, said inner and outer flaps adapted to be swung outwardly and upwardly to form registering openings in the inner and outer side walls and a portion of the adjacent tray side panel being adapted to be severed along vertical cuts from its adjacent parts and folded outwardly and downwardly about its bottom fold line through the registering opening in the outer side wall.

6. An upright, rectangular container of the type described comprising a tubular inner sleeve telescoped within a tubular outer sleeve and a relatively shallow bottom tray, each sleeve having upstanding side walls connected together along corner fold lines, the bottom tray having a bottom panel with upstanding, connected together side panels attached thereto along bottom fold lines, each tray side panel being disposed rigidly upwardly between the lower margin of an adjacent pair of inner and outer sleeve side walls, one adjacent pair of inner and outer sleeve side walls being provided with substantially registering, horizontal score lines positioned adjacent the upper edge of the tray side panel disposed therebetween and defining foldable connections for flaps, said inner and outer flaps being defined by vertical cuts in substantial alignment with said corner fold lines and struck from said adjacent inner and outer side walls, a portion of the adjacent tray side panel being adapted to be severed along vertical cuts adjacent the ends thereof from its adjacent parts and when the container is opened, the inner and outer flaps and the adjacent tray side panel being adapted to be swung outwardly about their respective score lines into angular relation with respect to the plane sleeve side walls.

7. An upright container having a bottom tray member with a bottom panel and upstanding side panels disposed between adjacent, upstanding side walls of inner and outer sleeves, an adjacent pair of upstanding side walls of the inner and outer sleeves each being provided with a horizontal score positioned adjacent the upper edge of the tray side panel therebetween and defining foldable connections for dispensing flaps struck from said inner and outer sleeve side walls, the bottom tray side panel interposed between said adjacent side walls being foldably connected to the bottom panel along a score line, said interposed bottom tray side panel being severable from adjacent side panel portions to define a dispensing flap, when the container is opened said dispensing flaps being adapted to be swung outwardly in angular relation with respect to the sleeve side walls.

8. An upright container having a bottom tray member having a bottom panel and upstanding side panels dis' posed between adjacent, upstanding side walls of inner and outer sleeves, each tray side panel provided with a foldably connected, corner forming, end flap secured to the adjacent side panel, one adjacent pair of upstanding side walls of the inner and outer sleeves each being provided with vertical corner scores and a horizontal score positioned adjacent the upper edge of the tray side panel and adapted to provide a hinge connection for dispensing flaps which are defined by substantially vertical cuts adjacent said vertical corner scores, and a bottom tray side panel interposed between said one pair of adjacent side walls.

being foldably connected to the bottom panel along a score line, said interposed bottom tray side panel being 6 severable along vertical cuts from adjacent side panel portions to define a dispensing flap, when the container is opened said dispensing flaps being adapted to be swung outwardly in angular relation to the plane of adjacent sleeve side walls and thus form a dispensing opening therethrough.

9. An upright container having a bottom tray member with a bottom panel and upstanding side panels, disposed between adjacent, upstanding side walls of tubular inner and outer sleeves, each tray side panel being provided with a foldably connected, corner forming, end flap secured to the adjacent side panel, one adjacent pair of upstanding side walls of the inner and outer sleeves each being provided with vertical corner scores and with a horizontal score positioned adjacent the upper edge of the tray side panel and adapted to define a hinged connection for a dispensing flap, the flap on the inner sleeve being defined at its end edges by slots co-linearly disposed with the vertical corner scores thereof, and a bottom tray side panel interposed between said one pair of adjacent side walls and being foldably connected to the bottom panel along a score line, the interposed bottom tray side panel and the adjacent outer sleeve side wall being adapted to be provided with vertical slits adjacent the corner portions thereof to define dispensing flaps, when the container is opened the dispensing flaps being adapted to be swung outwardly into angular relation with respect to the plane of the adjacent sleeve side wall to provide a dispensing opening.

10. A dispensing container having a pair of upstanding, inner and outer body sections with side walls, and a bottom closure tray having a bottom panel with upstanding side panels connected thereto along bottom fold lines and positioned intermediate the body side walls, a dispensing opening defined by flaps struck from a pair of adjacently disposed body side walls and an adjacent interposed tray side panel, each side wall flap being positioned upwardly and outwardly about a horizontal score line in its adjacent body side wall and the said interposed tray side panel flap being positioned outwardly and downwardly about its adjacent bottom fold lines.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,493,718 Zalkind May 13, 1924 1,592,381 Moorehouse July 13, 1926 1,855,555 Miller Apr. 26, 1932 2,349,088 Guyer May 16, 1944 2,377,471 Williamson June 5, 1945 2,556,661 Rendall June 12, 1951 2,634,038 George Apr. 7, 1953 

